MPWR Monolithic Power Systems Inc

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (MPS) (Nasdaq: MPWR), a leading company in high performance analog solutions, today announced financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend from $0.30 per share to $0.40 per share. The first quarter dividend of $0.40 per share will be paid on April 15, 2019 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 29, 2019.

The results for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

• Revenue was $153.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, a 4.0% decrease from $160.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and an 18.6 % increase from $129.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
• GAAP gross margin was 55.1% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compared with 55.0% for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) gross margin was 55.6% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, excluding the impact of $0.5 million for stock-based compensation expense and $0.2 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared with 55.7% for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, excluding the impact of $0.4 million for stock-based compensation expense and $0.5 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
• GAAP operating expenses were $51.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compared with $46.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) operating expenses were $38.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, excluding $14.3 million for stock-based compensation expense and $1.5 million for deferred compensation plan income, compared with $33.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, excluding $11.5 million for stock-based compensation expense and $0.8 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
• GAAP operating income was $33.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compared with $25.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) operating income was $46.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, excluding $14.8 million for stock-based compensation expense, $0.2 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $1.5 million for deferred compensation plan income, compared with $38.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, excluding $11.9 million for stock-based compensation expense, $0.5 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $0.8 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
• GAAP interest and other expense, net was $0.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compared with interest and other income, net of $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) interest and other income, net was $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, excluding $2.0 million for deferred compensation plan expense, compared with $1.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, excluding $0.6 million for deferred compensation plan income.
• GAAP income before income taxes was $32.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compared with $26.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) income before income taxes was $48.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, excluding $14.8 million for stock-based compensation expense, $0.2 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $0.5 million for deferred compensation plan expense, compared with $39.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, excluding $11.9 million for stock-based compensation expense, $0.5 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, and $0.1 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
• GAAP net income was $27.6 million and GAAP earnings per share were $0.61 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. Comparatively, GAAP net income was $12.1 million and GAAP earnings per share were $0.27 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) net income was $44.6 million and non-GAAP earnings per share were $0.99 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, excluding stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, net deferred compensation plan expense and related tax effects, compared with non-GAAP net income of $36.3 million and non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.82 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, excluding stock-based compensation income, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, net deferred compensation plan expense and related tax effects.

The results for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:

• Revenue was $582.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a 23.7% increase from $470.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
• GAAP gross margin was 55.4% for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared with 54.8% for the year ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) gross margin was 55.9% for the year ended December 31, 2018, excluding the impact of $1.9 million for stock-based compensation expense and $0.8 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, compared with 55.6% for the year ended December 31, 2017, excluding the impact of $1.7 million for stock-based compensation expense and $2.1 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.
• GAAP operating expenses were $209.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared with $180.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) operating expenses were $151.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, excluding $58.7 million for stock-based compensation expense and $0.6 million for deferred compensation plan income, compared with $127.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, excluding $51.0 million for stock-based compensation expense and $2.8 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
• GAAP operating income was $113.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared with $77.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) operating income was $174.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, excluding $60.6 million for stock-based compensation expense, $0.8 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $0.6 million for deferred compensation plan income, compared with $134.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, excluding $52.6 million for stock-based compensation expense, $2.1 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $2.8 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
• GAAP interest and other income, net was $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared with $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) interest and other income, net was $6.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, excluding $1.0 million for deferred compensation plan expense, compared with $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, excluding $2.5 million for deferred compensation plan income.
• GAAP income before income taxes was $118.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared with $82.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) income before income taxes was $180.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, excluding $60.6 million for stock-based compensation expense, $0.8 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and $0.4 million for deferred compensation plan expense, compared with $137.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, excluding $52.6 million for stock-based compensation expense, $2.1 million for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, and $0.2 million for deferred compensation plan expense.
• GAAP net income was $105.3 million and GAAP earnings per share were $2.36 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2018. Comparatively, GAAP net income was $65.2 million and GAAP earnings per share were $1.50 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2017.
• Non-GAAP (1) net income was $166.8 million and non-GAAP earnings per share were $3.74 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2018, excluding stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, net deferred compensation plan expense and related tax effects, compared with non-GAAP net income of $127.5 million and non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.93 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2017, excluding stock-based compensation income, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, net deferred compensation plan expense and related tax effects.

The following is a summary of revenue by end market for the periods indicated (in thousands):

			Three Months Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31,
	End Market			2018			2017			2018			2017
	Computing and storage		$	43,537		$	26,679		$	159,121		$	100,782
	Automotive			22,221			15,846			80,078			53,888
	Industrial			26,928			16,160			88,472			62,896
	Communications			20,147			15,857			70,589			63,606
	Consumer			40,664			54,888			184,122			189,757
	Total		$	153,497		$	129,430		$	582,382		$	470,929

The following is a summary of revenue by product family for the periods indicated (in thousands):

			Three Months Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31,
	Product Family			2018			2017			2018			2017
	DC to DC		$	143,021		$	119,161		$	537,512		$	431,861
	Lighting Control			10,476			10,269			44,870			39,068
	Total		$	153,497		$	129,430		$	582,382		$	470,929

“Despite uncertainty in the macro economy, we expect to continue winning market share in cloud computing, automotive and telecommunication markets. We believe our future is bright," said Michael Hsing, CEO and founder of MPS.

Business Outlook

The following are MPS’ financial targets for the first quarter ending March 31, 2019:

• Revenue in the range of $138 million to $144 million.

• GAAP gross margin between 54.8% and 55.4%. Non-GAAP (1) gross margin between 55.3% and 55.9%, which excludes an estimated impact of stock-based compensation expenses of 0.5%.

• GAAP research and development (“R&D”) and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses between $55 million and $59 million. Non-GAAP (1) R&D and SG&A expenses between $38 million and $40 million, which excludes an estimate of stock-based compensation expenses in the range of $17.0 million to $19.0 million.

• Total stock-based compensation expense of $17.6 million to $19.6 million.

• Interest and other income, net, of $1.4 million to $1.6 million before foreign exchange gains or losses.

• Fully diluted shares outstanding between 44.7 million and 45.7 million.

(1) Non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP earnings per share, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP R&D and SG&A expenses, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP interest and other income, net, non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP income before taxes differ from net income, earnings per share, gross margin, R&D and SG&A expenses, operating expenses, interest and other income, net, operating income and income before taxes determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP). Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per share exclude the effect of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, deferred compensation plan income/expense and related tax effects. Non-GAAP gross margin excludes the effect of stock-based compensation expense and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Non-GAAP operating expenses exclude the effect of stock-based compensation expense and deferred compensation plan income/expense. Non-GAAP interest and other income, net excludes the effect of deferred compensation plan income/expense. Non-GAAP operating income excludes the effect of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and deferred compensation plan income/expense. Non-GAAP income before taxes excludes the effect of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and deferred compensation plan income/expense. Projected non-GAAP gross margin excludes the effect of stock-based compensation expense. Projected non-GAAP R&D and SG&A expenses exclude the effect of stock-based compensation expense. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A schedule reconciling non-GAAP financial measures is included at the end of this press release. MPS utilizes both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to assess what it believes to be its core operating performance and to evaluate and manage its internal business and assist in making financial operating decisions. MPS believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP financial measures, together with GAAP measures, provides investors with an alternative presentation useful to investors' understanding of MPS' core operating results and trends. Additionally, MPS believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP measures, together with GAAP measures, provides investors with an additional dimension of comparability to similar companies. However, investors should be aware that non-GAAP financial measures utilized by other companies are not likely to be comparable in most cases to the non-GAAP financial measures used by MPS.

Conference CallMPS plans to conduct an investor teleconference covering its financial results at 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET, February 12, 2019. To access the conference call and the following replay of the conference call, go to http://ir.monolithicpower.com and click on the webcast link. From this site, you can listen to the teleconference, assuming that your computer system is configured properly. In addition to the webcast replay, which will be archived for all investors for one year on the MPS website, a phone replay will be available for seven days after the live call at (404) 537-3406, code number 8037138. This press release and any other information related to the call will also be posted on the website.

Safe Harbor StatementThis press release contains, and statements that will be made during the accompanying teleconference will contain, forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among other things, (i) projected revenues, GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin, GAAP and non-GAAP R&D and SG&A expenses, stock-based compensation expenses, interest and other income, and diluted shares outstanding, (ii) our outlook for the long-term prospects of the company, including our performance against our business plan, revenue growth in certain of our market segments, our continued investment into R&D, expected revenue growth, customers' acceptance of our new product offerings, the prospects of our new product development, and our expectations regarding market and industry segment trends and prospects, (iii) our ability to penetrate new markets and expand our market share, (iv) the seasonality of our business, (v) our ability to reduce our expenses, and (vi) statements of the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v). These forward-looking statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance or events, are based on current expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, goals, and objectives, and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from the results expressed by these statements. Readers of this press release and listeners to the accompanying conference call are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, our ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers; acceptance of, or demand for, MPS' products, in particular the new products launched recently, being different than expected; our ability to efficiently and effectively develop new products and receive a return on our R&D expense investment; our ability to increase market share in our targeted markets; competition generally and the increasingly competitive nature of our industry; any market disruptions or interruptions in MPS' schedule of new product development releases; adverse changes in production and testing efficiency of our products; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of companies and products that we acquire, and our ability to effectively and efficiently integrate these acquired companies and products into our operations; our ability to manage our inventory levels; adverse changes in laws and government regulations, such as tariffs on imports of foreign goods, including in foreign countries where MPS has offices or operations; adverse events arising from orders of governmental entities, including such orders that impact our customers, and adopting of new or amended accounting standards; the effect of catastrophic events; adequate supply of our products from our third-party manufacturing partners; the risks, uncertainties and costs of litigation in which we are involved; the outcome of any upcoming trials, hearings, motions and appeals; the adverse impact on MPS' financial performance if its tax and litigation provisions are inadequate; adverse changes or developments in the semiconductor industry generally, which is cyclical in nature; difficulty in predicting or budgeting for future customer demand and channel inventories, expenses and financial contingencies; the ongoing consolidation of companies in the semiconductor industry; and other important risk factors identified in MPS' Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018 and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 2, 2018. The forward-looking statements in this press release and statements made during the accompanying teleconference represent MPS' projections and current expectations, as of the date hereof, not predictions of actual performance. MPS assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release or in the accompanying conference call.

About Monolithic Power SystemsMonolithic Power Systems, Inc. (MPS) provides small, highly energy efficient, easy-to-use power solutions for systems found in industrial applications, telecom infrastructures, cloud computing, automotive, and consumer applications. MPS' mission is to reduce total energy consumption in its customers' systems with green, practical, compact solutions. The company was founded by Michael Hsing in 1997 and is based in the United States. MPS can be contacted through its website at www.monolithicpower.com or its support offices around the world.

Monolithic Power Systems, MPS, and the MPS logo are registered trademarks of Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and trademarked in certain other countries.

Contact:Bernie BlegenChief Financial OfficerMonolithic Power Systems, Inc.408-826-0777investors@monolithicpower.com

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, in thousands, except par value)
	December 31,
		2018				2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	172,704			$	82,759
Short-term investments		204,577				216,331
Accounts receivable, net		55,214				38,037
Inventories		136,384				99,281
Other current assets		11,931				12,762
Total current assets		580,810				449,170
Property and equipment, net		150,001				144,636
Long-term investments		3,241				5,256
Goodwill		6,571				6,571
Acquisition-related intangible assets, net		111				951
Deferred tax assets, net		16,830				15,917
Other long-term assets		35,868				30,068
Total assets	$	793,432			$	652,569
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	22,678			$	22,813
Accrued compensation and related benefits		18,799				15,597
Accrued liabilities		38,962				27,507
Total current liabilities		80,439				65,917
Income tax liabilities		34,375				31,621
Other long-term liabilities		38,525				33,024
Total liabilities		153,339				130,562
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, $0.001 par value; shares authorized:
150,000; shares issued and outstanding:  42,505 and 41,614, respectively		450,908				376,586
Retained earnings		194,728				143,608
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(5,543	)			1,813
Total stockholders’ equity		640,093				522,007
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	793,432			$	652,569

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Revenue	$	153,497			$	129,430			$	582,382			$	470,929
Cost of revenue		68,904				58,269				259,714				212,646
Gross profit		84,593				71,161				322,668				258,283
Operating expenses:
Research and development		22,735				21,730				93,455				82,359
Selling, general and administrative		28,372				24,038				113,803				97,257
Litigation expense, net		409				340				1,922				1,243
Total operating expenses		51,516				46,108				209,180				180,859
Income from operations		33,077				25,053				113,488				77,424
Interest and other income (expense), net		(393	)			1,647				4,994				5,520
Income before income taxes		32,684				26,700				118,482				82,944
Income tax provision		5,046				14,629				13,214				17,741
Net income	$	27,638			$	12,071			$	105,268			$	65,203
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.65			$	0.29			$	2.49			$	1.58
Diluted	$	0.61			$	0.27			$	2.36			$	1.50
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		42,467				41,574				42,247				41,350
Diluted		45,058				44,160				44,602				43,578
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Cost of revenue	$	504			$	391			$	1,888			$	1,654
Research and development		3,822				3,519				15,990				14,816
Selling, general and administrative		10,516				7,948				42,729				36,147
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	14,842			$	11,858			$	60,607			$	52,617
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Net income	$	27,638			$	12,071			$	105,268			$	65,203
Net income as a percentage of revenue		18.0	%			9.3	%			18.1	%			13.8	%
Adjustments to reconcile net income to non-GAAP net income:
Stock-based compensation expense		14,842				11,858				60,607				52,617
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets		197				513				841				2,051
Deferred compensation plan expense		458				148				431				238
Tax effect		1,432				11,688				(313	)			7,402
Non-GAAP net income	$	44,567			$	36,278			$	166,834			$	127,511
Non-GAAP net income as a percentage of revenue		29.0	%			28.0	%			28.6	%			27.1	%
Non-GAAP net income per share:
Basic	$	1.05			$	0.87			$	3.95			$	3.08
Diluted	$	0.99			$	0.82			$	3.74			$	2.93
Shares used in the calculation of non-GAAP net income per share:
Basic		42,467				41,574				42,247				41,350
Diluted		45,058				44,160				44,602				43,578
RECONCILIATION OF GROSS MARGIN TO NON-GAAP GROSS MARGIN
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Gross profit	$	84,593			$	71,161			$	322,668			$	258,283
Gross margin		55.1	%			55.0	%			55.4	%			54.8	%
Adjustments to reconcile gross profit to non-GAAP gross profit:
Stock-based compensation expense		504				391				1,888				1,654
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets		197				513				841				2,051
Non-GAAP gross profit	$	85,294			$	72,065			$	325,397			$	261,988
Non-GAAP gross margin		55.6	%			55.7	%			55.9	%			55.6	%
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Total operating expenses	$	51,516			$	46,108			$	209,180			$	180,859
Adjustments to reconcile total operating expenses to non-GAAP total operating expenses:
Stock-based compensation expense		(14,338	)			(11,467	)			(58,719	)			(50,963	)
Deferred compensation plan income (expense)		1,513				(776	)			591				(2,769	)
Non-GAAP operating expenses	$	38,691			$	33,865			$	151,052			$	127,127
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME TO NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Total operating income	$	33,077			$	25,053			$	113,488			$	77,424
Adjustments to reconcile total operating income to non-GAAP total operating income:
Stock-based compensation expense		14,842				11,858				60,607				52,617
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets		197				513				841				2,051
Deferred compensation plan (income) expense		(1,513	)			776				(591	)			2,769
Non-GAAP operating income	$	46,603			$	38,200			$	174,345			$	134,861
RECONCILIATION OF INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET, TO NON-GAAP INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME, NET
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Total interest and other income (expense), net	$	(393	)		$	1,647			$	4,994			$	5,520
Adjustments to reconcile interest and other income (expense), net, to non-GAAP interest and other income, net:
Deferred compensation plan (income) expense		1,971				(628	)			1,022				(2,531	)
Non-GAAP interest and other income, net	$	1,578			$	1,019			$	6,016			$	2,989
RECONCILIATION OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES TO NON-GAAP INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Total income before income taxes	$	32,684			$	26,700			$	118,482			$	82,944
Adjustments to reconcile income before income taxes to non-GAAP income before income taxes:
Stock-based compensation expense		14,842				11,858				60,607				52,617
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets		197				513				841				2,051
Deferred compensation plan expense		458				148				431				238
Non-GAAP income before income taxes	$	48,181			$	39,219			$	180,361			$	137,850

2019 FIRST QUARTER OUTLOOK
RECONCILIATION OF GROSS MARGIN TO NON-GAAP GROSS MARGIN
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ending
	March 31, 2019
	Low				High
Gross margin		54.8	%			55.4	%
Adjustments to reconcile gross margin to non-GAAP gross margin:
Stock-based compensation expense		0.5	%			0.5	%
Non-GAAP gross margin		55.3	%			55.9	%
RECONCILIATION OF R&D AND SG&A EXPENSES TO NON-GAAP R&D AND SG&A EXPENSES
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Three Months Ending
	March 31, 2019
	Low				High
R&D and SG&A expense	$	55,000			$	59,000
Adjustments to reconcile R&D and SG&A expense to non-GAAP R&D and SG&A expense:
Stock-based compensation expense		(17,000	)			(19,000	)
Non-GAAP R&D and SG&A expense	$	38,000			$	40,000